Ventilator hood assembly

ABSTRACT

A rotatable ventilator hood having a full conical half portion, a forward conical portion and a wing portion connected together by standing seams internally of the hood. The wing portion includes a pair of wing walls extending downwardly at their connections to and below the termination of the forward portion, and a top portion integral with the wing walls, the top portion being inclined downwardly and being rounded in a plane perpendicular to the inclination thereof. One of the wing walls is larger in surface area than the other wing wall. Lubrication means are mounted to a brace member of the hood through which a stationary shaft extends for lubricating same during rotation of the hood thereon.

[451 May 9,1972

[54] VENTILATOR HOOD ASSEMBLY Lester L. Miller, 2226 Rogers Road, Jacksonville, Fla. 3221 1 22 Filed: June 24,1970

211 Appl.No.: 49,348

[72] Inventor:

3,242,848 3/1966 Guenther ..98/68 Primary Examiner-Meyer Perlin Attorney-George H. Baldwin and Arthur G. Yeager ABSTRACT A rotatable ventilator hood having a full conical half portion. a forward conical portion and a wing portion connected together by standing seams internally of the hood. The wing portion includes a pair of wing walls extending downwardly at their connections to and below the termination of the forward portion, and a top portion integral with the wing walls, the top portion being inclined downwardly and being rounded in a plane perpendicular to the inclination thereof. One of the wing walls is larger in surface area than the other wing wall. Lubrication means are mounted to a brace member of the hood through which a stationary shaft extends for lubricating same during rotation of the hood thereon.

18 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAY 9 I972 SHEET 1 [1F 2 MIL INTO Lester L Mil/(r PATENTEDMAY 9 1972 SHEET 2 OF 2 //VVN7'0R Lesfer L Miller ATTOR/Vf) VENTILATOR HOOD ASSEMBLY 1. Field Of The Invention This invention relates to a ventilator hood assembly and more particularly to a rotatable hood assembly of improved construction and operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art Hood assemblies of various constructions have been previously suggested but for one reason or another have not proven to be satisfactory. Exemplary of some of the prior art arrangements are the following US. Pat. Nos. 488,074; 733,762; 737,493; 864,267; 1,701 ,3'85; 2,018,020 and 2,300,088. Such prior art fails, however, to teach or suggest an assembly which could be adapted in any obvious manner to achieve the results or perform the functions of the improved ventilator hood assembly described and claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of the invention relates to a ventilator hood assembly including a stationary base and an upstanding nonrotatable shaft, a hood mounted for rotation on the shaft and having a discharge opening, wherein the hood includes a pair of upstanding wing walls on opposite sides of the discharge opening with one wing wall being larger in surface area than the other wing wall whereby hunting of the hood by the forces of the wind are inhibitied and to properly align the discharge opening in a direction away from the direction of the wind.

Other aspects relate to the construction of the hood which include a rear conical half portion having a base portion and an apex, a forward portion connected to the half portion adjacent the base portion and terminating a substantial distance downwardly from the apex. The wing walls are connected to the half portion and extend forwardly therefrom, and a top portion integral with the wing walls is inclined downwardly and is rounded, such top portion and wing walls shielding the opening defined between the half portion and the forward'portion. The wing walls extend downwardly below the termination of the forward portion. Attaching means internally of the hood connect the forward portion to the half portion and the wing walls to the half portion. Such attaching means includes a pair of flanges integral with the half portion and facing each other, a pair of flanges integral with the forward portion and facing each other, a pair of flanges integral with respective wing walls and facing each other, and means for connecting the forward portion flanges and wing wall flanges to the half portion flanges and forming standing seams internally of the hood.

Further aspects relate to a brace member spaced downwardly from the apex, brace member having an opening therethrough for receiving the upstanding shafts and lubrication means is mounted to the member and communicates with the opening whereby lubrication is provided to the shaft to assist in the relative rotation of the hood with respect to the shaft.

A general object of this invention is to ventilator hood assembly.

A particular object is the provision of a pair of wings of unequal surface area on either side of the discharge opening of the hood whereby the hood will revolve in direction of the larger wing when a gust of air is directed into such discharge opening to locate the discharge opening aligned with but away from the direction of the wind.

A related particular object is to provide such unequal surface area wing walls whereby hunting of the hood is inhibited.

Another particular object is to provide an improved revolvable hood with improved lubrication means to insure proper and long life to the free turning of the hood.

A specific object is the provision of an improved hood in which a wing wall portion effectively shields the hood discharge opening.

Another specific object is to provide a top portion of the wing wall portion inclined downwardly and rounded to inhibit weather element buildup thereon.

provide an improved Other objects are to provide an improved hood assembly which is readily and inexpensively manufactured and durable and efficient in operation and use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of the ventilator hood assembly in accord with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional enlarged view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIg. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of F lg. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 ofFlG. 3;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings the ventilator hood assembly is designated 20 and and includes a hood 21 rotatably mounted to a stationary base 22 which is removably attached to a ventilating stack (not shown) extending through a roof or the like. The hood 21 is outwardly formed of the basic pieces of sheet metal or the like including a full conical half portion 25, a partial conical forward portion 26 and a wing portion 27, suitably connected as hereinafter described in connection with FIGS. 3, 12 and 13.

Stationary base 22 includes a round upstanding member 30 suitably connected to a horizontal plate 31 as by an upstanding lip 32 sandwiched within a downtumed U-flange 33 integral with member 30, and a lip 34 integral with flange 33 extends below plate 31. Integral with the side edges 39 of rectangular or square plate 31 are a plurality of L-shaped flanges 36 for receiving thereabove the outturned flanges 37 of an adjustable clamping base 38 (not shown in detail) which fits onto various sizes and shapes of a ventilating stack or the like well known in the art.

At the top of the upstanding member 30 a pair of crossbraces 40 and 41 are suitably connected by rivets 42 or the like and an elongated upright steel shaft 45 is welded to braces 40 and 41 ro maintain same in a vertical position generally centrally of member 30. The top end portion 46 of shaft 45 includes a bore 47 extending longitudinally thereof in which an oil and graphite impregnated porous bronze bearing 48 is press fit. A steel pivot shaft 49 is connected to a pivot shaft holder 50 as by fastener 51 in general alignment with the apex 52 at the top of the full conical half portion 25, so that when pivot shaft 49 is in thrust engagement within bearing 48, shafts 49 and 45 are in general vertical alignment with the apex 52 being located centrally of base upstanding member 30.

The hood 21 includes a pair of cross-brace members 55 and 56 which are flattened and welded together generally medial thereof at 57 and are suitably connected to hood portions 25 and 26 as shown in FIG. 7. An opening 58 extends through flattened portion 57 for permitting the shaft 45 to extend loosely therethrough. Lubrication means in the form of a plate 60 is welded to the top cross-brace member 55 forwardly of shaft 45 and includes a semi-circular slot 61 which is aligned with the forward half of opening 58, as shown clearly in FIGS. 8 and 10. A plurality of graphite and clay composition lubrication slugs 62 are preferably located in bores 63 in member 60 spaced around and communicating with slot 61. Thus, as the hood 21 rotates on pivot shaft 49, lubrication is continually being applied to shaft 45 to provide a long life and generally heat proof lubrication between shaft 45 and opening 58 and slot 61 thereby inhibiting squeaking and wear while assisting in the relative rotation of the hood with respect to the shaft. As the shaft 45 is relatively loose within openings 58 and since the wing portion 27 extends outwardly sufliciently to cause contact between shaft 45 and the forward part of opening 58 and slot 61, lubrication along such contacting portion of shaft 45 is sufficient to accomplish the intended purposes set forth above.

The outer ends 55 of shaft 55 are bifurcated and include portions on either side of the upstanding internal seams 64 formed between full conical portion 25 and/or forward portion 26, and/or wing portion 27 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, hereinafter more fully described.

The full conical half portion 25 includes a pair of elongated side edges 65 and 66 terminating in the apex 52 and a pair of flanges 67 and 68 respectively integral with side edges 65 and 66. The partial conical forward portion 26 includes a pair of side edges, including edge 70, to which integral flanges, including flange 71, respectively extend. As seen from FIG. 13, flange 67 is U-shaped with flange 71 being sandwiched therewithin and a button punch 75 or other fastening means secures such flanges thereby securing hood portions 25 and 26 together and forming standing lock seams 64 internally of the hood.

Wing wall portion 27 includes a pair of wing walls 80 and 81 each having a side edge 82 with a flange 83 integral therewith and facing each other. As illustrated in FIG. 12, U-shaped flange 67 sandwiches both flange 83 of the wing wall 80 and flange 71 of forward portion 26 where the wing wall flanges overlap the forward portion flanges. The standing lock seams 64 are here seen to include flanges from all three basic portions of the hood, while the seam adjacent numeral 82 of FIG. 1, for example, will be formed only with flanges 67 and 83. As hereinafter described, flanges 108 of holder 50 are tucked into respective upstanding seams 64 adjacently below apex 52.

The wing walls 80 and 81 are spaced on either side of the discharge opening 85 defined between the flanges 67 and 68 and the pivot shaft holder 50 and the upper edge 86 of forward portion 26 and extend forwardly therefrom sufficiently to a lateral position offset remotely from the apex 52 and spaced forwardly of the forward portion 26. A top portion 88 of wing wall portion 27 is integral with wing walls 80 and 81 and extends between the apex and the extent of the wing walls 80 and 81. The top portion is preferably inclined downwardly from apex 52 and is rounded in a plane generally perpendicularly to the inclination thereof whereby weather element buildup, for example snow, is inhibited. At the apex 52 it is also preferred to employ a sealing cement, for example, aluminum paste or the like, to inhibit water and the like from seeping therethough. Water which may enter between edges 65 and 82 and/or 65 and 70 would normally drain out the bottom 90 of the hood outwardly of the upstanding member 30.

One of the wing walls, herein shown as 81, is larger in surface area than the other wing wall 80 so that hunting of the hood by the forces of the wind is inhibited to properly align the discharge opening 95 defined between the wing walls 80 and 81, top portion 88 and top upper edge 86 of forward portion 26. The aerodynamics of the hood are not completely understood, but the employment of one wing wall of larger surface area does decrease the hunting of the hood, particularly when large volumes of air are being discharged through opening 95, as when the hood is employed over a smoke stack or a fan or blower is forcing air outwardly thereof. Furthermore, when the hood is in a position with the wind relatively calm and a gust of wind is directed into the discharge opening, the wind will cause a positive rotational movement of the hood in the direction of the larger surface area wing wall 81 to position the discharge opening in alignment with but away from the wind. Also, the contact between shaft 45 and the forward portion of opening 58 and/or slot 61 provides sufficient friction to inhibit constant movement and excessive sensitivity of the hood to slight variations of the wind, such sensitivity being obtained, if desired, by employing a counterbalancing weight (not shown) rearwardly of the shaft 45 to compensate for the offset weight of the wing wall portion.

As may be seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and S, the pivot shaft holder 50 includes a one piece housing wrapped around on itself and fastened at 101 and 102 with a main opening 103 into which the top end 104 of shaft 45 extends. The housing 50 provides a dust cover for the upper end 104 of the shaft 45 together with the bearing 48 mounted therein. Sufficient clearance is provided between opening 103 and shaft top portion 46 so that contact therebetween will not occur. Housing 100 also includes a triangular shaped member 106 which extends upwardly to overlie flanges 67 and 68 of full conical portion 25 and a pair of flanges, including flange 108, are tucked within flanges 67 and 68 to form respective standing seams 64 in much the same way as 71 is tucked within U-shaped flanges 67 and 68, as specifically shown in FIG. 12.

A key 1 10 is mounted to the shaft 45 above the cross-braces 55 and 56 to prevent inadvertent removal of the hood from the base and shaft.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a ventilator hood assembly including a stationary base and an upstanding non-rotatable shaft, a hood mounted for rotation on said shaft and having a discharge opening, the improvement wherein said hood includes a pair of upstanding wing walls on opposite sides of said discharge opening, one said wing wall being larger in surface area than the other said wing wall whereby hunting of said hood by the forces of the wind are inhibited and to properly align said opening in a direction away from the direction of the wind.

2. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said hood includes a rear conical half portion having a base portion and an apex, said hood further includes a forward portion connected to said half portion adjacent said base portion and terminating a substantial distance downwardly from said apex, said wing walls being connected to said half portion and extending forwardly therefrom, said hood including a top portion integral with said wing walls, said wing walls and top portion shielding said opening defined between said half portion and said forward portion.

3. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said wing walls extend downwardly below the termination of said forward portion.

4. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said top portion is rounded whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.

5. In the ventilator as defined in claim 2 wherein said top portion is inclined downwardly from said apex whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.

6. In the ventilator as defined in claim 5 wherein said top portion is rounded in a plane generally perpendicular to the inclination thereof.

7. In the ventilator hood as defined in claim 2 wherein said hood further comprises attaching means internally of said hood for connecting said forward portion to said half portion and said wing walls to said half portion.

8. In the ventilator hood as defined in claim 7 wherein said attaching means includes a pair of flanges integral with said half portion and facing each other, a pair of flanges integral with said forward portion and facing each other, a pair of flanges integral with respective said wing walls and facing each other, and means for connecting said forward portion flanges and wing wall flanges to said half portion flanges.

9. In the ventilator hood as defined in claim 1 wherein said hood includes a brace member spaced downwardly from said apex, said brace member having an opening therethrough for receiving said upstanding shaft, lubrication means mounted to said member and communicating with said opening whereby lubrication is provided to said shaft to assist in the relative rotation of said hood with respect to said shaft.

10. In a ventilator hood assembly including a hood, said hood having a full conical half portion, a forward conical portion and a wing portion, said full conical half portion including a base portion and a pair of elongated side edges terminating in an apex, a pair of elongated flanges respectively integral with said side edges, said forward conical portion including a pair of side edges with respective flanges integral therewith, said flanges on said forward portion being connected to respective flanges of said half portion adjacent said base portion, said forward portion having an upper edge terminating a substantial distance downwardly from said apex, said wing portion including a pair of upstanding wing walls having elongated edges with respective flanges integral therewith, said wing wall flanges being connected to respective flanges of said half portion and extending downwardly to at least the termination of said flanges of said forward portion, said wing portion and said upper edge of said forward portion defining the discharge opening of said hood.

11. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim l0 wherein said wing wall flanges extend downwardly below the termination of said flanges of said forward portion.

12. In the ventilator as defined in claim 10 further comprising a stationary base and an upstanding non-rotatable shaft, said hood being mounted for rotation on said shaft, one said wing wall being larger in surface area than the other said wing wall whereby hunting of said hood by forces of the wind are inhibited and to properly align said discharge opening away from the direction of the wind.

13. In the ventilator as defined in claim 12 wherein said hood includes a brace member spaced downwardly from said apex, said brace member having an opening therethrough for receiving said upstanding shaft, lubrication means mounted to said member and communicating with said opening whereby lubrication is provided to said shaft to assist in the relative rotation of said hood with respect to said shaft.

14. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said flanges of respective said half portion and forward portion and wing portion face toward each other thereby forming a standing seam connection for said half portion and forward portion and wing portion internally of said hood.

15. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said pair of wing walls extend forwardly from their connection with said flanges of said half portion, said wing portion including a top portion integral with said wing walls, said wing walls and top portion shielding the opening defined between said half portion and said forward portion.

16. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said top portion is rounded whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.

17. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said top portion is inclined downwardly from said apex whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.

18. In the ventilator as defined in claim 17 wherein said top portion is rounded in a plane generally perpendicular to the inclination thereof. 

1. In a ventilator hood assembly including a stationary base and an upstanding non-rotatable shaft, a hood mounted for rotation on said shaft and having a discharge opening, the improvement wherein said hood includes a pair of upstanding wing walls on opposite sides of said discharge opening, one said wing wall being larger in surface area than the other said wing wall wheReby hunting of said hood by the forces of the wind are inhibited and to properly align said opening in a direction away from the direction of the wind.
 2. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said hood includes a rear conical half portion having a base portion and an apex, said hood further includes a forward portion connected to said half portion adjacent said base portion and terminating a substantial distance downwardly from said apex, said wing walls being connected to said half portion and extending forwardly therefrom, said hood including a top portion integral with said wing walls, said wing walls and top portion shielding said opening defined between said half portion and said forward portion.
 3. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said wing walls extend downwardly below the termination of said forward portion.
 4. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said top portion is rounded whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.
 5. In the ventilator as defined in claim 2 wherein said top portion is inclined downwardly from said apex whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.
 6. In the ventilator as defined in claim 5 wherein said top portion is rounded in a plane generally perpendicular to the inclination thereof.
 7. In the ventilator hood as defined in claim 2 wherein said hood further comprises attaching means internally of said hood for connecting said forward portion to said half portion and said wing walls to said half portion.
 8. In the ventilator hood as defined in claim 7 wherein said attaching means includes a pair of flanges integral with said half portion and facing each other, a pair of flanges integral with said forward portion and facing each other, a pair of flanges integral with respective said wing walls and facing each other, and means for connecting said forward portion flanges and wing wall flanges to said half portion flanges.
 9. In the ventilator hood as defined in claim 1 wherein said hood includes a brace member spaced downwardly from said apex, said brace member having an opening therethrough for receiving said upstanding shaft, lubrication means mounted to said member and communicating with said opening whereby lubrication is provided to said shaft to assist in the relative rotation of said hood with respect to said shaft.
 10. In a ventilator hood assembly including a hood, said hood having a full conical half portion, a forward conical portion and a wing portion, said full conical half portion including a base portion and a pair of elongated side edges terminating in an apex, a pair of elongated flanges respectively integral with said side edges, said forward conical portion including a pair of side edges with respective flanges integral therewith, said flanges on said forward portion being connected to respective flanges of said half portion adjacent said base portion, said forward portion having an upper edge terminating a substantial distance downwardly from said apex, said wing portion including a pair of upstanding wing walls having elongated edges with respective flanges integral therewith, said wing wall flanges being connected to respective flanges of said half portion and extending downwardly to at least the termination of said flanges of said forward portion, said wing portion and said upper edge of said forward portion defining the discharge opening of said hood.
 11. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said wing wall flanges extend downwardly below the termination of said flanges of said forward portion.
 12. In the ventilator as defined in claim 10 further comprising a stationary base and an upstanding non-rotatable shaft, said hood being mounted for rotation on said shaft, one said wing wall being larger in surface area than the other said wing wall whereby hunting of said hood by forces of the wind are inhibited and to properly align said discharge opening away from the direction of the wind.
 13. In the ventilator as defined in claim 12 wherein said hood includes a brace member spaced downwardly from said apex, said brace member having an opening therethrough for receiving said upstanding shaft, lubrication means mounted to said member and communicating with said opening whereby lubrication is provided to said shaft to assist in the relative rotation of said hood with respect to said shaft.
 14. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said flanges of respective said half portion and forward portion and wing portion face toward each other thereby forming a standing seam connection for said half portion and forward portion and wing portion internally of said hood.
 15. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said pair of wing walls extend forwardly from their connection with said flanges of said half portion, said wing portion including a top portion integral with said wing walls, said wing walls and top portion shielding the opening defined between said half portion and said forward portion.
 16. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said top portion is rounded whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.
 17. In the ventilator hood assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said top portion is inclined downwardly from said apex whereby weather element buildup is inhibited.
 18. In the ventilator as defined in claim 17 wherein said top portion is rounded in a plane generally perpendicular to the inclination thereof. 